My desktop unit which I use as my home server frequently encounters a problem that produces the famous Window Box states, "I'm sorry but we have encountered a problem with this application and must close. Would you like to send a report Yes or No. I use this application to move around files and folders etc. This same application has crashed on my laptop but not nearly as frequently. I have read where other people complain about this application but have never seen a fix. I would even consider buying an application that works and is more stable than this one.

The Icon found in the upper left corner of your desktop sometimes called "explorer.exe" but nothing to do with iexplorer (the internet browser). "My Computer", the application, that allows you to look at where files and folders are located, their size, when modified and what partition they are located in.

Explorer.exe is what controls the desktop, folders and file management. It's an essential part of the system. Otherwise you'd be looking at a black screen.

Please answer these with numbers:

1-- Do you have SP3 and all of the Windows updates?
2--Have you scanned for malware with Malwarebytes and SuperAntispyware, both updated?
3--Size of HD and how much is used?
4--How much RAM?
5--CPU speed (GHZ)?
6--What security programs do you have?
7--Please run Hijack This and post the log here. It tells me an awful lot about what's going on.

The explorer.exe icon on your desktop is a shortcut to the program "Windows Explorer" found in program accessories. Just click Start, Programs, Accessories to find the program. It's a useful tool for moving files and creating desktop shortcuts.
Perhaps you created the icon in error by right-clicking the program when you were looking around "exploring" you computer. The icon can be deleted without any repercussions by right-clicking it and choosing "Delete".

Can we go back to the original post where I state that I would consider buying a new application. Does anyone know of such an application. Both of my computers are fully up to date with patches and both have ESET A/V along with Armor Online firewall. I run the scan's on a monthly basis and nothing has been found. All of my other applications run perfectly. If you know of a fix to Explorer.EXE great or if you know of another application that does what Explorer does please post your suggestion.

Can we go back to the original post where I state that I would consider buying a new application. Does anyone know of such an application. Both of my computers are fully up to date with patches and both have ESET A/V along with Armor Online firewall. I run the scan's on a monthly basis and nothing has been found. All of my other applications run perfectly. If you know of a fix to Explorer.EXE great or if you know of another application that does what Explorer does please post your suggestion.

Your frustration is understandable. However, just running another application is not necessarily going to fix anything.

Do you have XP SP-3 installed?
Is your system up-to-date with monthly patches?
Do you still get the error if you disable the firewall?
Do you still get the error if you disable ESET A/V?
Does this happen on specific files types?
Since no anti-malware software detects all problems, have you tried any of the software mentioned in #4?